Every season, there is at least one team that comes out of nowhere to have a magical season.

Last year, that team was Tioga as the Indians went 10-2 and were the No. 4 seed in Class 4A. In 2014, Peabody overcame an 0-2 start to win a share of District 3-4A and gained it first playoff win as a member of the LHSAA. And one cannot forget when Northwood went 9-2 in 2006 for its best season in program history.

This season, there are a few teams that might be on the brink of having significant improvement or a breakout year based on the schedule.

In the eighth installment of our (way too) early look of the 2017 season, I will take a look at those teams that could make a step up this season.

Bolton, District 3-3A (Last season: 1-9, 1-6 District 3-3A)

Bears coach Mark Teague knew the challenge he was embarking on when he took the job last February and after getting a victory against Vidalia last year, the building blocks are there. Instead of facing Alexandria Senior High and West Ouachita, Bolton takes on Northwood and Plain Dealing this year, while Menard and Tioga have lost some seniors as it hopes to compete against those teams this year. With DeWhite Woods and Terrance Garnett on manning the defense, the Bears will improve from their 1-9 season last year.

Grant, District 3-4A (Last season: 5-6, 0-5 District 2-4A)

The Cougars might have had a better record last year than anyone on this list, but they did end the season on a six-game losing streak after going 5-0 on a Class 1A-heavy non-district slate. Grant still has the backfield duo of Ro'dara Ellis and Deante Lacour, which will give teams fits, while it returns to a more centrally located District 3-4A. The Cougars have beefed up their non-district schedule by adding Jena to the mix, but it will be in the running for the 3-4A title.

Pineville, District 2-5A (Last season: 1-9, 0-5 District 2-5A)

The Rebels have lost 16 of 17 games after a 3-0 start in 2015, but there is a sense of optimism coming into 2017 with Dennis Dunn at the helm, a senior quarterback in Cam Bates and a defensive playmaker in Ben West. Pineville does not leave Rapides Parish for a game until Week 10 against Ruston and it might be able to close the gap between its area 2-5A foes in Alexandria Senior High and Natchitoches Central. With that, I think they will improve on last season's 1-9 campaign.

Rosepine, District 4-2A (Last season: 0-10, 0-5 District 3-2A)

Since reaching the second round of the Class 2A playoffs in 2013, the Eagles have limped to a 1-30 record — a win over Merryville in the 2015 opener. However, a familiar face returns to Rosepine as Johnny Cryer is once again the coach there and despite the small roster size (it dressed 19 last year), it only lost one senior in quarterback/safety Cade Ledet. With a large senior class and a slightly easier schedule, the Eagles might be able to pick up a few extra wins to make the playoffs

University, District 3-1A (Last season: 1-5)

I think it is safe to say that no team in Central Louisiana faced as brutal of a schedule than what the Lions had to face last year, but last season's hardships will prepare them for any and everything this season. UA has a far easier slate this year with East Iberville and Merryville replacing teams such as Evangel and Southern Lab, while District 3-1A is navigable outside of St. Mary's and Logansport. A key game will be on Nov. 2 when Montgomery comes to Pineville in a matchup that likely will determine third place in that district.